DAKINE DRIFT FLAT-PEDAL SHOE REVIEW

DAKINE DRIFT

Tech features: Best known for its well-designed gear bags and apparel, Dakine now offers a shoe made for mountain bike riders. The Drift is a classic skate-style shoe made with Dakine’s Ultra Grip Rubber compound on the outsole. This shoe is designed to be versatile with a platform that doesn’t sacrifice efficiency. Dakine’s FlexRide shank runs the length of the shoes to increase stiffness, stability and support. The Drift also features a removable insert, synthetic materials for the upper construction, a lace pocket on the tongue, and a reinforced toe cap area for protection.

Field test results: The amount of flex these shoes have makes them conform to pedals well. On the other hand, the rubber compound is tough and not as tacky as we would like. There was a break-in period for the Drifts; it took us three to four rides to feel comfortable. The deep ridges in the diamond-shaped tread grabbed the pins well, yet the Drifts worked best with pedals with tall pins to hold onto their tread design. Unfortunately, the Drifts did not hit the mark in terms of comfort and had a few pressure points that rubbed our test riders’ feet the wrong way. All in all, these were good shoes for a weekend trail ride or local dirt jump session, but there are better-performing options available at a more affordable price.

Weight: 958g

Measured durometer: 83A

Price: $140

Contact: www.dakine.com